Learn About Climate Change By Watching Horror Movies In Salem

SALEM, MA -- Salem Horror Fest will present a program of double features dedicated to environmentally-themed horror films during the first weekend of October as part of its effort "to explore social themes of fear and anxiety in the Halloween capital of the world." The lineup will include The Return of the Living Dead, The Toxic Avenger, Tremors, My Bloody Valentine, Day of the Dead, 28 Days Later, Creature From the Black Lagoon and Alien at CinemaSalem. Additional programs will showcase matinees, panel discussions, and lectures at the Peabody Essex Museum with late-night after parties hosted at Koto and Opus restaurants and bars.

"There’s no shortage of things to be frightened by any time you check up on the news, but when it comes the biggest threat to our existence, it’s Mother Nature," festival director Kevin Lynch said in a news release. "She will spit on our grave after everything we’ve done to her."

According to climate projections, the City of Salem will experience more days with temperatures equal to or above 90°F and more frequent 100-year storms. Sea levels are expected to rise about 4 feet with a storm surge over 13 feet by 2100.

Entering it’s second year, Salem Horror Fest will present two weeks of screenings, speakers, parties, and guests returning Thursday, October 4 - Sunday, October 14, 2018. The festival has previously announced Ryan Turek (Blumhouse Productions VP) as the opening night keynote speaker and a return of The Faculty of Horror podcast for a live show. Stay tuned for more news and announcements coming soon.

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Photo by Salem Horror Fest.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).